Clothing protector

ABSTRACT

A clothing protector having a separation between the panels that forms a neck recess at one end so that a user, such as an adult or child, may use the protector without interfering with the user&#39;s hair, with preferred embodiments of the protector being constructed from an absorbent fabric with a second layer that contacts the user&#39;s clothing when worn having a texturized surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/828,984, filed on May 30, 2013, the completecontents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention relates to protective articles worn byindividuals to protect clothing.

2. Brief Description of the Related Art

Bibs are widely used to protect children and infants from spillage offood and milk. Bibs generally have a tie, snap or fastener that securedthe bib to the neck of an individual. In many cases, a parent orcaretaker secures the bib to the child or infant. In the case of anadult wearing a bib, it may be awkward or not possible for the adultindividual to secure the bib on the adult's neck.

A nursing garment is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,960 that can beplaced over the shoulders of a nursing mother to provide the motherprivacy while nursing the baby. The '960 garment also may be used as aburping bib. The '960 patent discloses the use of weights for holdingthe garment in place on the nursing mother's shoulder. The '960discloses making the garment using a single woven process, and isprovided with bunched or gathered areas where the wetness from burping ababy is expected to land when one is using the garment. The lowerportion of the '960 garment is loose and open to provide ventilation.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,287 discloses a protective covering for an adult andchild which is design for placement on the shoulders of an individualduring the feeding of an infant to protect the individual's clothingfrom spills and such. The '287 garment discloses a liquid impermeableunderlayer. The '287 garment also provides cut-outs at each panel endfor an infant's neck and acts as a bib for the infant.

Burp protectors are also disclosed in U.S. Design patents, includingU.S. Design Pat. 669,661, which discloses a caregiver and child burpprotection cover-up that has two holes, one for the caregiver andanother for the child. Velcro® is disclosed to secure the garment to theneck of each user. U.S. Design Pat. 666,791 discloses a baby burp clothgarment that has a hole in the center of the garment. U.S. Design Pat.611,682 discloses a burp cloth made from what appear to be two panelsattached at a corner to form an “L” shape. U.S. Design Pat. 627,952discloses a hair cutting cape, and U.S. Design Pat. 482,846 discloses ashoulder bib for resting on a shoulder of a user. A nursing shawl isdisclosed in U.S. Design Pat. 303,995. A burp cloth is disclosed in U.S.Design Pat. 585,631, and in U.S. Patent Application 2008/0263740. U.S.Pat. No. 7,082,617 discloses a mommy bib with a fastener that may beVelcro®.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A protector to be worn by an individual to protect the individual'sclothing while the individual is engaged in eating or drinking isprovided. The clothing protector preferably is constructed from fabric,and according to preferred embodiments, is constructed from two fabricpanels. The clothing protector may be easily used without interferencewith the hair of an individual and without requiring procedures forsecuring it, such as, the use of ties, Velcro® (a surface of hooks andloops that are removably connectable), an elastic neck band or otherfasteners. The construction of the clothing protector facilitates easeof handling by the user when placing the protector on the individual andalso does not interfere with the user's hair. The clothing protector issuitable for young children as well as elderly individuals orindividuals that may require less involvement to place the clothingprotector in position over their shoulders for use.

According to one embodiment the protector is sized to fit a child, andaccording to other embodiments, the protector is sized to fit an adult.

Preferred embodiments of the inventive protector are designed to providecoverage for the chest line of the front of an individual and, in theback, on the back to the bottom of the individual's shoulder blades.

According to preferred embodiments, the clothing protector isconstructed to remain on the individual while the individual engages ineating, and does not require fasteners or weights.

According to preferred embodiments, the clothing protector is reversibleand has two sides from which the user may select for use.

According to preferred embodiments, the clothing protector may be madein different sizes, including one size for an adult and another size fora child. The adult-sized version may be provided for use by new parentsas a clothing protector from their newborn's spills or by sick, disabledand elderly individuals who have difficulty eating without spilling. Thechild-sized version preferably may be configured for and used bychildren who may be too old for a bib but too young not to spill.Preferred embodiments of the clothing protectors may be used by men orwomen (boy or girl in children's sizes).

Preferably, the clothing protectors are constructed from classy and funfabrics, and according to preferred embodiments, may be constructed from100% cotton fabric.

One feature of the clothing protectors is that they do not requiresnaps, magnets or Velcro®. In addition, the clothing protectors do notgo over the head of an individual when the individual desires to use it(so the clothing protectors are constructed so that they may be placedon the individual and removed from the individual without messing up orinterfering with the user's hair). The clothing protectors areconfigured to lie nicely across the user's shoulders.

According to preferred embodiments, the clothing protector isconstructed from two pieces of cotton fabric that are sewn together, andhave a binding placed around the entire perimeter.

The clothing protectors may be used by new parents to provide coveragefrom spillage of milk and other fluids. The clothing protector also mayserve to protect individuals feeding newborns, and may be used as acover when nursing. The clothing protector also may serve as a barrierfor newborns from perfumes and detergents, as well as germs that may betransmitted from the clothing of the person holding the newborn.

Another use of the present clothing protector us that it may be wornwhen an individual is eating, and therefore can replace a woven napkin.The clothing protector protects a user's clothes and may be used to wipethe user's face. Once, used, or soiled, the clothing protector may belaundered to clean it, and then reused.

Another use of the present clothing protector is for people who areelderly, sick or disabled. The clothing protectors provide a moredignified alternative to present bibs, which generally have stigma's orstereotypes attached to the user. Other uses for the present clothingprotector include when an individual is brushing his/her teeth toprotect his/her clothing from tooth paste spills. Still other usesinclude when children are in costumes, such as when performing a play orrecital or at Halloween, and they desire to eat and drink something, orput makeup or glitter on their face or hair. In this situation thepresent clothing protector may be used to protect the individual'sclothing or costume from getting marked or covered with inadvertentspills or sprays. The clothing protectors may be used by women applyingmakeup or hairspray to protect their clothing, as well as women who mayhave damp hair and want to protect their clothing from the dampness. Thepresent protector may be used without disturbing the hair or head of auser.

The clothing protector is configured to be readily worn withoutrequiring snapping, tying, Velcro® or magnets, so that the protector maybe used by children, the elderly and some disabled individuals, withouta great effort to place it in position for use. Also, because, theprotector does not require it to be placed over the user's head, it doesnot mess the user's hair, and the protector may be placed into positionwithout adverse contact with the user's hair or head. One may simplyplace the clothing protector around the neck. The weight of the fabricand the preferred lower panel of a flannel texture keep the protector onthe individual's body, and prevent it from sliding off. Preferredembodiments may be reversible and, preferably are constructed from awashable material, such as, 100% cotton.

According to preferred embodiments, the design of the clothing protectorincorporates a full cover on one end and two arms on the other end. Itmay be worn either way. For example, the clothing protector may be wornwith a portion in the back and arms in the front, or with the arms inthe back and the other portion in the front.

The clothing protector may have one or more pockets, which preferablyare located at the lower end thereof for access when the user is wearingthe protector.

According to some embodiments, the clothing protector is reversible, toprovide alternative designs (e.g., patterns or colors) that the user mayselect to have face outward.

According to some embodiments, the clothing protector may be designedfrom fashionable or higher grade material and be provided as a high endarticle. According to alternate embodiments, the clothing protector maybe constructed for use in hospitals, doctor's offices, nursing homes andother care facilities, and, for example, may be constructed from ahospital grade terrycloth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a clothing protector according to theinvention shown on an individual.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the clothing protector shown in FIG. 1,showing the rear view of the individual.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the clothing protector shown in FIG. 1,shown worn on an individual.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the clothing protector shown in FIG. 1, asworn in FIG. 3, showing the rear view of the individual.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken though the front panel.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view showing a preferred embodiment of a clothingprotector according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing a preferred embodiment of anotherclothing protector according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a schematic illustration showing an exampleof preferred dimensions for an adult sized clothing protector accordingto the invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a schematic illustration showing an exampleof preferred dimensions for a child sized clothing protector accordingto the invention.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of a clothingprotector according to the invention, shown having a pocket feature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-7, a clothing protector 10 (and 10′) according to myinvention is illustrated. The clothing protector 10 has a front portion11 and a rear portion 12. The front portion 11 includes a pair of aims14, 15, which are connected to the rear portion 12, proximal to the neckopening 18.

The clothing protector 10 preferably is constructed from two layers offabric, including a first layer 21 that faces outwardly when anindividual placed the protector on the use's body, and a second layer 22that is designed to face the user's body and rest thereon. The firstlayer has a first face 23 and the second layer has a second face 24. Thefirst face 23 preferably includes a first side face 25 and a second sideface 26 which are spaced apart from each other, and a third face or rearface 27, that joins with the first and second faces 25,26. The secondlayer 22 also includes a first side face, a second side face, and a rearface, each of which underlies a respective face, 25,26,27 of the firstlayer 21. In reversible embodiments, the protector may be worn so thatthe second layer faces are visible and the first layer faces contact theuser's clothing.

Preferably, a binding 30 is provided about the perimeter of the clothingprotector 10. The front portion 11 preferably is constructed from afirst panel of fabric material that forms the first layer 21, and therear portion 12, preferably is constructed from a second panel of fabricmaterial that forms the second layer 22. The edges of the front portion11 and rear portion 12, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 5,preferably are covered with the binding 30. The binding 30 may besecured to the edges of the layers 21, 22 using any suitable securingmeans, including stitches or glue to secure the binding 30 to the edgesof the front portion 11 and rear portion 12. The binding 30 preferablyis constructed from a washable material, and may be made from cotton,blends or other suitable material.

A loop 40 preferably is provided, and may be secured to the binding 30for facilitating hanging and storing of the protector 10.

According to a preferred embodiment, the clothing protector is made froma cotton fabric, with the first layer 21 being made from cotton and thesecond layer 22 also being made from cotton. According to preferredembodiments, the second layer 22 is constructed from a flannel materialto provide a texture that facilitates holding the clothing protector onan individual. The flannel texture provides a friction surface to aid inpreventing sliding of the protector 10.

According to a preferred embodiment, the second layer 22 has a finish onits surface which has suitable friction to minimize or prevent thetendency of the clothing protector to slide off of the person when worn.According to some preferred embodiments, the layer that is to contactthe person's clothing, such as, for example, the second layer 22,preferably has a force of sliding friction of about 0.44 N, acoefficient of sliding friction of about 0.0907, a force of staticfriction of about 0.56 N (from between about 46 to 62 N), and acoefficient of static friction of about 0.1154.

According to preferred embodiments, the protector 10 is made from amaterial that is absorbent, and washable.

Alternate materials may be used to construct the clothing protector 10,such as, for example, absorbent microfiber material, which may beconstructed from cotton, blends or other materials. According toalternate embodiments, the second layer 22 preferably has a surface 27that is texturized to provide enhanced friction when the protector 10 isresting on a user. According to alternate embodiments, the protector 10may be constructed with stylish material on one side, and flannel orsuitably texturized material on the other side.

Preferably, the clothing protector layers 21, 22 comprise absorbentmaterial that absorbs spills and keeps solid items from rolling off ofthe surface. The first layer 21 and second layer 22 preferably are madefrom a suitable thickness of material to provide suitable absorption ofthe food or liquid that the protector 10 is designed to encounter duringuse.

In FIG. 7, the clothing protector 10′ is shown as a smaller child sizeversion.

Illustrations of a clothing protector are shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 toprovide examples of the protector dimensions. According to one preferredembodiment, an adult protector 110 is shown and has dimensions as setforth in FIG. 8. According to another preferred embodiment, a childprotector 210 is shown and has dimensions as set forth in FIG. 9.According to a preferred embodiment, the adult sized protector 110preferably has a rear portion that is about 14 units, (e.g., inches), asmeasured from the edge 112 a of the rear portion 112 to the rear edge118 a of neck recess 118. Preferably, the first arm 114 and second arm115 are about 20 units (e.g., inches) as measured from the rear edge 118a of neck recess 118 to the respective edges 114 a, 115 a of the firstarm 114 and second arm 115. According to a preferred embodiment, thelength of the rear portion 112 preferably is greater than 50% of thelength of the arms 114,115, and more preferably about 70% greater inlength than the length of the arms 114,115. According to some preferredembodiments, the rear portion length may be 70% of the front arm length,or less. According to another embodiment, the surface area includes arear portion surface area Ra and a front portion surface area Fa, shownseparated by the broken line A. In the illustration of FIG. 8, the rearsurface area is about 14 units by 26 units, or 364 units, and the frontsurface area of each arm 114,115 is about 20 inches by 10 inches, or 200units. Accordingly, the units preferably may be inches. The rear portion112 preferably has an area ratio of about 364 to 400 relative to thefront arm portions 114,115. Expressed in alternate terms, according topreferred embodiments, the rear portion 112 is less in area and weightthan the front portion 111. According to some preferred embodiments, thearea of the rear portion 112 is about 91% or less than the area of thefront portion (including the front arms 114,115), and according to someembodiments, the weight of the rear portion 112 is about 91% or lessthan the weight of the front portion (including the front aims 114,115),and according to some embodiments both the area and weight of the rearportion respectively, are 91% or less than the respective area andweight of the front portion.

A smaller or child clothing protector 210 is shown in FIG. 9 havingpreferred dimensions smaller than the dimensions, as measured in inches,from the protector 110 shown in FIG. 8. The clothing protector 210 has arear portion 212 that is about 9 units (nine inches) measured from therear edge 212 a of the rear portion 212 to the rear edge 218 a of theneck recess 218. Preferably, the first arm 214 and second arm 215 areabout 14 units (e.g., inches) as measured from the rear edge 218 a ofneck recess 218 to the respective edges 214 a,215 a of the first arm 214and second arm 215. According to a preferred embodiment, each arm214,215 is about seven units (e.g., seven inches) in width.

Referring to FIG. 10, an alternate embodiment of a clothing protector310 according to the invention is shown having a front portion 311 and arear portion 312. The front portion 311 includes a pair of arms 314,315,which are connected to the rear portion 312, proximal to the neckopening 318. The clothing protector 310 preferably is constructedsimilar to the clothing protector 10 shown and described herein, andpreferably has two layers of fabric, including a first layer 321 thatfaces outwardly when an individual placed the protector on the use'sbody, and a second layer that is designed to face the user's body andrest thereon (similar to the layer 22 shown in connection with theprotector 10 of FIGS. 1 to 5). The first layer 321 has a first face 323and the second layer has a second face. The first face 323 preferablyincludes a first side face 325 and a second side face 326 which arespaced apart from each other, and a third face or rear face 327, thatjoins with the first and second faces 325,326. The second layer alsoincludes a first side face, a second side face, and a rear face, each ofwhich underlies a respective face, 325,326,327 of the first layer 321.The protector 310 may be provided with reversible fabric so that eitherside may be used as the front face when worn.

A pocket feature is provided and is shown including a pocket 350,351,and more preferably, according to a preferred embodiment, a plurality ofpockets 350,351 are provided. According to one preferred embodiment, thefront portion 311 preferably includes a first pocket 350 or 351 on atleast one of the respective arms 314,315, and may include a pocket350,351 on each respective arm 314,315. Since the protector 310 may bereversible, embodiments of the clothing protector 310 may include atleast one or more pockets on the front of the arms 314,315, andpreferably on the first side face 321 and second side face, and at leastone pocket on the other side of the arms 314,315 (which faces the user'sbody). Therefore, when the clothing protector 310 is worn in thereversible condition (opposite that shown in FIG. 10), then the pocketsof the reverse side may be available for access from the alternate frontof the garment 310, as reversibly worn. The clothing protectorsillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 are shown without the binding 330, inaccordance with an alternate configuration. Alternatively, a binding,such as the binding 30 shown in the clothing protector 10 of FIGS. 1 to5 that is provided about the perimeter of the protector 310, may beprovided on the clothing protector 310. According to some alternateembodiments, the edging or binding 30, though not shown in FIG. 10, maybe used to secure the pocket edge 350 b along with the fabric formingthe anus 314,315 and rear portion 312 of the clothing protector 310. Forexample, binding may join together the pocket edge 350 b and one or morefabric panels forming the front portion 311 and back portion 312. Thepocket 350 may be constructed from a panel that is secured along itsedges to the front portion 311 and with an open edge 350 c forming apocket opening 350 a. The pocket 351 may be similarly constructed (witha pocket edge 351 b and opening 351 c), and, according to some preferredembodiments, the pocket 351 preferably is constructed to match thedimensions and appearance of the pocket 350. According to someembodiments, the pocket 350,351 may be configured to match the surface321 of the front portion 311. According to alternate embodiments, thepocket 350,351 may be provided to stand out and be constructed having apattern color or appearance different from the surface 321. These andother advantages may be realized with the present invention. While theinvention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, thedescription is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting thescope of the invention. For example, according to some alternateembodiments, the protector may be formed from a layer, and preferably isconstructed from material that will rest on the user's clothing.According to an alternate embodiment, the first layer 21 may faceoutwardly and an underside of the first layer 21 may rest on the user'sbody (i.e., the user's clothing). Pockets 350,351 are shown inconnection with the protector 310, but may be provided in conjunctionwith other protector embodiments illustrated herein. The protectors maybe reversible, and preferably, when reversible, the front and rearprotector surfaces preferably are provided to hold the protector on theuser (preferably through surface friction of the protector material).The unit dimensions are provided to illustrate a preferredconfiguration, including preferred ratios, and according to preferredembodiments, the unit dimensions are inches. Various modifications andchanges may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention described herein and as defined by theappended claims. It is intended that the foregoing detailed descriptionbe regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it beunderstood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents,that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A clothing protector for protecting a user'sclothing from spillage, comprising: a first layer; a second layer;securing means for securing the first layer to the second layer; thefirst layer having a first face; the second layer having a second face;the protector having a front portion comprising a first arm and a secondarm, and a rear portion comprising a rear panel; wherein the first armand second arm connect with the rear panel, and wherein a space isprovided, said space spacing apart said arms and having a curved portionat one end thereof defining an edge of the rear panel.
 2. A clothingprotector for protecting a user's clothing from spillage, comprising: afront portion including a first arm and a second arm; a rear portion;the front arms connecting to the rear portion at an intersectionthereof; the front arms being adjacent to one another and beingseparated by a space therebetween; a neck opening formed at theintersection of the front arms and rear portion; the neck opening havingan edge thereabout and being open on one side, the open side openinginto the space between the front arms.
 3. The clothing protector ofclaim 2, wherein said first arm has an inner edge and an outer edge,wherein said second arm has an inner edge and an outer edge, whereinsaid space between said front arms is defined by a first portion that isa radiused portion at an edge of the rear portion proximate to thelocation of said intersection, said space including a second portionthat is an elongated space between the inner edges of said first arm andsaid second arm and which is in communication with the first portion. 4.The clothing protector of claim 3, further including at least onepocket.
 5. The clothing protector of claim 4, wherein said at least onepocket is provided on at least one of said front arms.
 6. The clothingprotector of claim 2, wherein said front portion and said rear portionare formed from a continuous fabric portion.
 7. The clothing protectorof claim 2, wherein said front portion and said rear portion have afront face and a rear face wherein said front face forms a first sidefor use of the garment in a first orientation to display said first sideoutwardly and wherein said rear face forms a second side so that saidgarment may be used in a second orientation to display said second sideoutwardly.
 8. The clothing protector of claim 7, wherein said front facecomprises a first appearance and wherein said second side comprises adifferent appearance thereby providing two different appearances fromwhich to select.
 9. The clothing protector of claim 1, wherein saidsecond layer has a second face that forms the rear surfaces of the firstarm, the second arm and the rear panel, and wherein said rear surfaceshave a coefficient of static friction of about 0.11.
 10. The clothingprotector of claim 1, wherein said second layer has a second face thatforms the rear surfaces of the first arm, the second arm and the rearpanel, and wherein said rear surfaces are flannel surfaces.
 11. Theclothing protector of claim 1, including at least one pocket.
 12. Theclothing protector of claim 11, wherein said at least one pocket isprovided on at least one of said first arm and said second arm.
 13. Theclothing protector of claim 2, wherein said rear portion and said frontarms are balanced in weight or biased in weight toward the front arms soas to minimize or prevent the clothing protector from sliding whenplaced on the user's clothing.
 14. The clothing protector of claim 1,wherein said front portion has a front surface area and wherein saidrear portion has a rear surface area, and wherein said rear surface areais 70% or less than said front surface area.
 15. The clothing protectorof claim 2, wherein said front portion has a front surface area andwherein said rear portion has a rear surface area, and wherein said rearsurface area is 70% or less than said front surface area.
 16. A clothingprotector for protecting a user's clothing from spillage, comprising: afront portion comprising a first arm and a second arm, and a rearportion comprising a rear panel; wherein the first arm and second armare joined with the rear panel, and wherein a space is provided, saidspace spacing apart said first arm and said second arm and having an endportion at one end thereof defining an edge of the rear panel.
 17. Theclothing protector of claim 16, wherein said end portion is a curvedportion.
 18. The clothing protector of claim 17, wherein said endportion is curved along a radius that positions said first arm and saidsecond arm in an angular direction wherein at least a portion of one ofsaid first arm and said second arm overlaps with at least one portion ofthe other of said first arm and said second arm.
 19. The clothingprotector of claim 16 including a pocket.
 20. The clothing protector ofclaim 16, wherein a plurality of pockets are provided, including atleast one first pocket on said first arm and at least said second pocketon said second arm.
 21. The clothing protector of claim 19, wherein saidfirst arm has a first end that joins with said rear portion and whereinsaid first arm has a second end, and wherein said pocket is provided atsaid second end of said first arm.